Instagram is quietly testing a brand-new feature called “Picks”, and it might just change the way you connect with your friends online. The idea is pretty simple — but also quite clever. It allows users to select their favorite TV shows, movies, music, books, games, and more, and then see which of their friends share similar tastes.
The discovery of the Picks feature was first shared by Alessandro Paluzzi, a well-known reverse engineer who frequently uncovers unreleased features on major social platforms. He posted a series of screenshots on X (formerly Twitter), giving everyone a sneak peek into how this tool might look once it rolls out publicly.
From what we’ve seen so far, Picks seems designed to surface shared interests among friends. For example, if you’ve added a favorite movie to your Picks list, Instagram will show you which of your followers also enjoy that film. It’s a simple way to spark conversations or maybe even find someone to binge-watch a series with.
These Picks won’t live in your main profile. Instead, they’ll appear in the inbox area, likely within Instagram Notes — the small text updates you can post at the top of your messages. A new icon is expected to appear in the inbox, giving you quick access to this feature. While we don’t know exactly when it will be available, Instagram has confirmed to TechCrunch that Picks is currently an “internal prototype,” meaning it’s still being developed and tested behind the scenes.
This new functionality seems to be part of Instagram’s larger strategy to make its platform more personal and interactive. Earlier this year, Instagram head Adam Mosseri hinted at changes in direction, saying the company wants to help people connect more meaningfully — particularly through messaging and shared content.
“To help people connect with friends over the things they discover on Instagram, we’re going to double down on messaging, make consuming content more interactive and social, and explore new ways to connect with friends,” Mosseri said in a previous statement.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Instagram has tried to boost interaction by leveraging user preferences. The platform already includes features like Instagram Map, which lets users share their real-time location with friends, much like Snapchat’s Snap Map. There’s also the Friends tab inside Reels, which highlights content your friends have recently liked or interacted with — and even recommends videos through a feature called Blends.
Still, Picks feels a bit different. Rather than encouraging you to passively view what others are watching or liking, it invites you to actively share your personal tastes — then discover who’s aligned with you. Whether you’re a music lover, movie buff, or bookworm, Picks could become a surprisingly useful way to find common ground with others.
And while Instagram hasn’t officially announced a launch timeline, the early screenshots suggest it’s already well into development. So, if you've ever wished Instagram would help you connect more deeply — beyond likes and DMs — Picks might be just what you've been waiting for.